Galanthus nivalis (Single Snowdrop)

Galanthus nivalis (Single Snowdrop) – is the common snowdrop. This is the snowdrop that you will find creating carpets of flowers in woodlands and growing wild up and down the country. A small white hanging bell shaped flower with the delicate green markings. There are hundreds of variations of the snowdrop, some of which we know fetch for a lot of money.

Most snowdrops are only 15-20cm high with thin green foliage that can often look silver. They have a distinctive point at the top of the stem to help the flower puncture its way through the frozen ground ready for flowering any time from January to March. It’s hanging head has evolved to protect the pollen inside it’s cup and keep it dry. It’s an essential food source for early emerging pollinators. Watch this happy bee go about his business in early February.

How to plant snowdrop bulbs

As a small bulb it is easy for snowdrops to dry out in baking summer conditions. Although they are happy in the spring sunshine try planting them somewhere shaded. Consider that their natural habitat is in deciduous woodland. Humus rich soil and canopy to shelter them from the heat is ideal.

Rather than planting snowdrop bulbs individually it is often easier to make a small envelope 8cm deep and evenly place them in. Again, as a wild plant they are naturally clump forming. They look much more natural planted in groups than in rows, over time snowdrop bulbs naturally spread by seed or by bulb division.

Plant Galanthus nivalis (Single Snowdrop) bulbs between October and November for early spring flowers. Once settled, after a few years, they may even begin to show in December.

How to plant snowdrops ‘in the green’

Planting ‘in the green’ will begin in February. It is often more reliable to plant actively growing small bulbs. It reduces the risk of them either drying out or getting too wet. When they have foliage we know that it is a successful plant. Although planting in the green often means you won’t get flowers until the following year, it is a second chance to get your hands on a limited supply of one of the UK’s favourite flowers.

As a native plant it is illegal to dig it up without the right permission. Our ‘in the green’ stocks are UK sourced but we use significantly less.

Another important pollen provider at this time of year is Eranthis, Small yellow flowers opening up in January to February, try planting these along side the snowdrops.